What We Know: A new outdoor warning siren is now in place in a part of Webster County that’s seen its share of severe weather lately.
Crews installed the siren at Marshfield Fire Protection District Station Five.
What It Means: Webster County Emergency Management Director Nat Rains says the location was picked for a reason. Three tornadoes have hit that section of the county over the past two years.
And until now, Rains says the area hasn’t had an outdoor warning siren, at least as far back as he knows.
Crews with Webster Electric Cooperative helped with the installation. The siren was assembled on the ground, attached to a pole, and then lifted into place using a hydraulic boom.
Rains says they went big with this one. It’s the largest siren available from the manufacturer, giving it more coverage across the rural area.
Outdoor warning sirens are designed for people who are — well, outdoors. They’re not intended to wake you up or necessarily be heard inside your home.
Rains says people should have more than one way to receive severe weather alerts, including a weather radio or an alert app on their phone.
Webster County sirens are most commonly activated during tornado warnings, but they can also be used for other dangerous weather.
In fact, the county has already used its sirens this year to warn people outside about extremely large hail.
The new siren was tested after installation and is another warning option for residents when severe weather rolls through Webster County.
(Photo provided by Webster County Emergency Management)